Local members of Congress reaction to health care ruling split along party lines

Friday

Jun 29, 2012 at 10:03 AMJun 29, 2012 at 10:15 AM

Reaction to the health care ruling among the mid-Hudson's congressional representatives split along party lines, with Republican Rep. Nan Hayworth vowing to repeal the law and Democrats hailing the Supreme Court decision.

By Nathan Brown

Reaction to the health care ruling among the mid-Hudson's congressional representatives split along party lines, with Republican Rep. Nan Hayworth vowing to repeal the law and Democrats hailing the Supreme Court decision.

Both Hayworth, R-Mount Kisco, and Rep. Chris Gibson, R-Kinderhook, ran for office in 2010 calling for the bill's repeal and replacement with less far-reaching reforms to reduce health care costs and expand coverage.

“I ran for Congress pledging that to our citizens in the Hudson Valley, and it hasn't changed,” Hayworth said. “We can accomplish the worthy goals of that law without imposing burdens on the American people.”

Gibson stopped short of calling for repeal Thursday, saying that he wants to work toward a number of reforms, mainly aimed at driving down costs.

Hayworth's 18th Congressional District will include all of Orange County in 2013, because of redistricting, and Gibson's 19th Congressional District will include all of Ulster and Sullivan counties.

Hayworth will be challenged by Democrat Sean Patrick Maloney and Gibson will face Democrat Julian Schreibman. Both Maloney and Schreibman were pleased with the ruling.

“Hopefully, we can stop playing politics and political football with our health care law, and start focusing on proper implementation and needed improvements to the law,” Schreibman said.

Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-Hurley, who is not running for re-election, also praised the ruling.

“The Affordable Care Act was one of, if not the most, significant pieces of legislation I voted for during my 20 years in Congress,” he said. “I proudly voted for it because all American deserve access to quality, affordable health insurance, not just a select group.”